Portable acoustic apparatus for in-situ monitoring of a workpiece

A portable apparatus for in-situ monitoring of a workpiece, comprising:

• a fluidic container defining a cavity and having a peripheral portion that defines an aperture;
• the fluidic container containing an acoustic transmission fluid;
• a conformable membrane sealably disposed about the peripheral portion of the aperture of the fluidic container, wherein the membrane is disposed to sealably contain the acoustic transmission fluid within the fluidic container, and wherein the conformable membrane is disposed to conform to a surface of a portion of the workpiece, wherein the peripheral portion of the aperture of the fluidic container includes an outer sealing surface and a plurality of apertures that are fluidly connected to a vacuum source;
• an acoustic source transducer disposed in the cavity of the fluidic container and in contact with the acoustic transmission fluid, wherein the acoustic source transducer is disposed to generate a first acoustic wave in the direction of the workpiece;
• and
• an acoustic receiving transducer disposed in the cavity of the fluidic container and in contact with the acoustic transmission fluid, wherein the acoustic receiving transducer is disposed to monitor a residual acoustic wave that is reflected from the workpiece in response to the first acoustic wave;
• wherein the vacuum source is disposed to evacuate air between the membrane and the workpiece via the plurality of apertures to urge the membrane to conform to the workpiece without interposed air or fluid.